Cranfield

Cranfield

Cranfield is a town in Bedfordshire, England. Located between Milton Keynes and Bedford.

The town is home to Cranfield University and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.

The name Cranfield is derived from the Old English cranbēd meaning ‘crane-bed’, i.e. land that is suitable for growing reeds or osiers (willow trees).

Cranfield was first mentioned in 942 as Crenefelt and later in the Domesday Book as Cranfeld. By 1086 it had become a small village of eight households.

The parish church of St Peter and St Paul dates from the 13th century, although there is evidence of an earlier Saxon church on the site.

In 1290 Cranfield was granted a market charter by King Edward I. This gave the town the right to hold a weekly market, which has continued to the present day.

Created: 2  October  2022  Edited: 29  November  2023

Cranfield

Cranfield map

Cranfield UK Map